Strata Solar on Friday afternoon pulled its application to build a utility scale power plant in Culpeper County, a week after the planning commission scrutinized, then denied, the request and neighbors intensely opposed it. This is the second time in as many years that an out-of-state solar company has abruptly yanked its request to build a big project on farmland in Culpeper after facing similar scrutiny and public opposition.

General Virginia

Eskridge is concerned that wind turbine EMFs could negatively affect the conch that bury themselves in the sandy, muddy bottom of the Chesapeake Bay. ...Dominion representatives told watermen that the EMF from a cable would be comparable to that of a “toaster oven.” [T]he fishermen questioned how that comparison was determined and whether even a small EMF could negatively affect a conch. No scientific study has been done.

Offshore Wind Virginia

Virginia, Maryland and North Carolina are teaming up on an effort to kickstart wind energy and economic development off their shores. The new initiative provides a framework for the three states to "cooperatively promote, develop, and expand offshore wind energy and the accompanying industry supply chain and workforce," they said in a joint press release.

Offshore Wind Maryland North Carolina Virginia

Dominion Energy’s two massive wind turbines loom large off of Virginia Beach’s coast.

General Virginia

Dominion Energy customers’ monthly electric bills have jumped nearly 29% since 2007 under a series of electric utility-backed bills enacted since then — and look set to rise another 45% over the next decade, the State Corporation Commission said. ...It said Dominion’s push to expand its solar and wind generating capacity will drive much of the rise in bills over the next decade. ...The SCC report said Dominion’s latest long-term plan, which details a multi-billion-dollar investment in renewable energy, will boost the average residential customer’s monthly bill from $116.69 now to more than $168 by 2030.

General Virginia

In a step forward for a proposed wind farm in Botetourt County, the FAA found this week that turbines reaching as far as 680 feet into the sky from the top of a mountain would “not constitute a hazard to air navigation.” It was the second time the agency has determined that the renewable energy project, to be located in a remote and rural spot about 17 miles from the nearest airport, would not pose a threat.

Safety Virginia

The massive towers now installed off Virginia Beach were assembled in Nova Scotia and brought down on a special ship that held them vertically. Driven into the sea floor like nails, the structures now stand 620 feet above the waves. The Washington Monument, by contrast, is 555 feet tall. On Monday it took a tour boat five hours round trip to visit the towers, which occupy a 112,800-acre site Dominion leases from the federal government.

Offshore Wind Virginia

The most vocal critic of Rocky Forge, however, proved to be Amsterdam District Supervisor Steve Clinton, who described the proposed wind farm as having “overstated benefits and understated costs,” and suggested, “maybe this isn’t worth it.” Martin, who represents the Blue Ridge District, stated that he supported wind energy but opposed the height increase. He also expressed exasperation that Apex still hasn’t secured passage to transport the massive turbine parts up the mountain, telling company representatives, “You’ve had four and a half years to get a right of way.”

Impact on Landscape Zoning/Planning Virginia

If wind turbines are allowed to tower up to 680 feet into the sky from a Botetourt County mountaintop, they would be higher than the tallest ones currently in the United States. But should the county’s board of supervisors approve a request from Apex Clean Energy to build up to 22 modern windmills as tall as a 50-story building, it wouldn’t necessarily set a new record.

Zoning/Planning Virginia

The commissioners are set to consider an ordinance and permit amendment that would allow Charlottesville-based Apex Clean Energy to move ahead with a wind farm powered by turbines of up to 680 feet tall.

Zoning/Planning Virginia

What we see on your website and advertised are the changes that Apex has requested. We do not see any other changes. So if we correctly understand your statement, none of the suggested changes made by Virginians for Responsible Energy were deemed suitable for updating the Wind Ordinance, and you and your staff are recommending that only the changes wanted by Apex should be made. This is stunning that the Planning Department appears to be willing to accept everything that Apex wants, without limit.

General Virginia

Christopher West’s commentary from Jan. 21 (“Botetourt wind farm should be approved”) was one-sided, misleading, and a poor attempt to spin a case for wind turbines in Botetourt County. It demands a response.

Impact on Landscape Impact on People Virginia

Critics of the sPower solar​ project in Spotsylvania County have raised concerns about its environmental impact.

General Virginia

Virginia’s shift away from fossil fuels to renewable energy got a boost Tuesday when Gov. Ralph Northam announced a 40-acre lease to a European-based wind energy company.

Offshore Wind Virginia

The solar project in rural western Spotsylvania County is underway, and some neighbors are finding problems with how construction is being handled.

Zoning/Planning Virginia

Hampton Roads has a chance to create thousands of jobs and attract a potential multibillion-dollar industry to the region. The only question now is whether regional stakeholders are up to the task.

Offshore Wind Virginia

A renewable energy company has revised its plan to build wind turbines on a Botetourt County ridgeline, making them nearly 700 feet tall. The latest proposal by Apex Clean Energy exceeds the maximum turbine height of 550 feet approved nearly three years ago and would require an amended permit from the county’s board of supervisors.

Impact on Landscape Virginia

Dive Brief:

General Virginia

The agreement also provides a long-sought purchaser of 75 megawatts of electricity to be produced by wind turbines built by Apex, a Charlottesville company that obtained all of the permits needed for the project two and a half years ago. Since then, Apex has not begun construction while it has searched for a utility or other buyer to make the project commercially feasible.

General Virginia

You won't be able to see them from shore, but travel far enough east off the coast of Virginia Beach and you'll soon find two wind turbines — each about the height of a 40-story skyscraper — generating electricity that will power thousands of homes. On Monday, the people behind the wind turbines ceremonially broke ground on the project, heaving shovels of sand 27 miles west on the shore of Camp Pendleton.

Offshore Wind Virginia